Depression in relation to biochemical parameters and age in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The phenotype of women with PCOS changes with age. The study was aimed to address whether changes in biochemical parameters associated with age of the patients correlate with depression severity measured with the use of screening tools.

This was a single center observational study. Women with PCOS meeting the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS were recruited. Hormonal and clinical parameters including symptoms of hyperandrogenism, age, BMI, androgen and blood lipids were analyzed in 60 patients (median age 27, median BMI 23 kg/m(2)) together with evaluation of depressive symptoms with the use Beck Depression Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-Nine Item (PHQ-9), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report 16 Item (QIDS-SR16).

The prevalence of depression was equal 22-33% depending on the questionnaire. The older women tended to present significantly higher BMI, SBP, waist circumference and lower androstenedione and DHEAS values than the younger group of patients. The prevalence of depression was higher in the group of older patients, however without statistical significance. Among the cohort of older patients (age ≥ 27 years, n = 29) significant correlates of depression included: nonHDL, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol (p < 0.05), even after controlling for BMI. In the younger study cohort (age < 27, n = 28) the only significant correlates included BMI and waist circumference.

Women with PCOS reporting depressive symptoms present higher levels of androgens and blood lipids. Clinicians treating women with PCOS should be aware that this group of patients is at increased risk of depression irrespectively of age and phenotype.